Refrigerator having dispenser

ABSTRACT

A refrigerator having a dispenser for supplying selected supply objects such as water, ice, and the like, including: a dispenser body; a button unit formed on the dispenser body and selecting types of supply objects; and a supply object display unit for displaying differently according to types of supply objects selected via the button unit. A display lamp unit includes a water supply lamp, an ice cube supply lamp and a crushed ice supply lamp to correspond to a water supply button, an ice cube supply button and a crushed ice supply button of the button unit, and the water supply lamp, the ice cube supply lamp and the crushed ice supply lamp implement different colors, whereby different colors may be implemented at the display lamp unit according to types of supply objects selected via the button unit.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a refrigerator and, more particularly, a refrigerator having a dispenser allowing ice cubes stored in a refrigerating chamber from being drawn out of the refrigerator without opening a door of the refrigerator.

BACKGROUND ART

In general, a refrigerator is a device for keeping food items at storage at a low temperature, in which food items are frozen or refrigerated according to their states.

Cold air supplied to the interior of the refrigerator is generated according to a heat exchange operation of a refrigerant, and continuously supplied into the interior refrigerator while repeatedly performing a cycle of compression-condensation-expansion-evaporation, and the supplied cold air is evenly transmitted into the interior of the refrigerator by convection current to keep food items at storage at a desired temperature within the refrigerator.

Refrigerators are being increased in size and becoming multi-functional as the dietary life is changed and user preferences are diversified, and the forms of refrigerators are diversified according to configuration of storage spaces.

A door of the refrigerator may include a dispenser to supply objects such as water, ice, or the like, to users. The dispenser may selectively provide supply objects such as water, ice, or the like, to users.

In the related art refrigerator having the dispenser, when the user determines a supply object such as water, ice, or the like, by selecting a button formed on the dispenser, only an icon corresponding to the supply object such as the selected water, ice, or the like.

However, the related art refrigerator has a problem in that recognition with respect to the selected supply object is not good, so if an icon corresponding to the supply object selected by the user is not precisely checked, a supply object undesired by the user may be provided.

In addition, when different buttons are selected to select supply objects such as water, ice, or the like, the same sound is generated. Thus, the user cannot discriminate the selected supply objects by sound, and this problem may cause a big inconvenience of visibly impaired and so on.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION Technical Problem

Therefore, in order to address the above matters, the various features described herein have been conceived. One aspect of the exemplary embodiments is to provide a refrigerator having a dispenser with a structure that can enhance recognition of a selected type of supply objects.

Technical Solution

This specification provides a refrigerator having a dispenser for supplying selected supply objects such as water, ice, and the like, including: a dispenser body; a button unit formed on the dispenser body and selecting types of supply objects; and a supply object display unit for displaying differently according to types of supply objects selected via the button unit.

The supply object display unit may implement at least one of different colors and sounds according to types of the selected supply objects.

The supply object display unit may include a plurality of lamps provided by the number corresponding to the types of the supply objects.

The plurality of lamps may be installed at positions mutually separated by a maximum distance therebetween.

The plurality of lamps may implement different colors, respectively.

The supply object display unit may be a single lamp for implementing different colors correspondingly according to the types of the supply objects.

The supply object display unit may be a display device implementing a plurality of icons which correspond to each type of the supply objects and have a different color, respectively.

The supply object display unit may be a speaker implementing different sounds to correspond to the types of the supply objects.

The button unit may include select buttons by the number corresponding to the types of the supply objects and an ON/OFF button operating the dispenser, and the buttons are positioned to be separated mutually by a maximum distance.

The buttons may be installed to be positioned at corners on a square plate.

The button unit may include a single select button and an ON/OFF button for operating the dispenser, and the supply object display unit may be formed as a speaker for informing about a type of a supply object selected by the select button.

The supply objects may be ice cubes, crushed ice and water.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS

The refrigerator according to the embodiments of the present invention has the following advantages.

A display lamp unit includes a water supply lamp, an ice cube supply lamp and a crushed ice supply lamp to correspond to a water supply button, an ice cube supply button and a crushed ice supply button of the button unit, and the water supply lamp, the ice cube supply lamp and the crushed ice supply lamp implement different colors, whereby different colors may be implemented at the display lamp unit according to types of supply objects selected via the button unit.

Because a single display lamp implement different colors to correspond to the water supply lamp, the ice cube supply lamp and the crushed ice supply lamp, different colors may be implemented at the display lamp unit according to types of supply objects selected via the button unit. Thus, recognition of selected supply objects can be enhanced and the configuration of the supply object display unit can be simplified.

Also, because the display device corresponds to the types of supply items selected via the button unit and a corresponding icon among a plurality of icons each having a different color is turned on, the recognition of a selected supply object can be improved, and because there is no need to provide an additional lamp as the supply object display unit, the configuration of the dispenser can be simplified.

In addition, because the speaker generates sounds corresponding to the types of supply objects selected via the button unit, recognition of a selected supply object can be improved. In particular, the types of supply objects can be discriminated by sound for the convenience of the visually impaired.

The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is perspective view of a refrigerator employing a dispenser according to a first embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 2 is a front view showing the refrigerator employing a dispenser according to the first embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 3 is a block diagrams showing the configuration for displaying types of supply objects in the refrigerator having a dispenser according to the first embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 4 is a front view showing a refrigerator having a dispenser according to a second embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 5 is a front view showing a refrigerator having a dispenser according to a third embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 6 is a front view showing a refrigerator having a dispenser according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 7 is a front view showing a refrigerator having a dispenser according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, and

FIG. 8 is a view showing a refrigerator having a dispenser according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

A refrigerator having a dispenser according to embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is perspective view of a refrigerator employing a dispenser according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a front view showing the refrigerator employing a dispenser according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a block diagrams showing the configuration for displaying types of supply objects in the refrigerator having a dispenser according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

With reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, a refrigerator 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a case 120 having a space for accommodating a storage object therein, and a door 110 for opening and closing the interior of the case 120. The door 110 includes a dispenser 200 for supplying a supply object such as water, ice, or the like.

The dispenser 200 includes a dispenser body 210, a button unit 220, a display lamp unit 230, and a display device 240.

In addition, in order to display a type of supply objects at the dispenser 200, the dispenser 200 includes an input unit 250, a controller 260, a driving unit 270, and a display unit 280.

The dispenser body 210 is coupled with the door 110, and includes a dispenser hole 211 opened forwardly at the interior thereof. A user can put a cup into the dispenser hole 211 to receive a supply object.

A lever 212 is formed on a rear surface of the dispenser hole 211. The lever 212 is pressed by the cup put in the dispenser hole 211 to generate a signal for supplying the supply object to the cup.

A nozzle 213 is formed at an upper end portion of the dispenser hole 211. When the lever 212 is operated, the nozzle 213 allows a supply object such as water, ice, or the like, to pass therethrough so as to be supplied into the cup. The nozzle 213 may be connected with a water purifying unit (not shown) for supplying water, an ice maker (not shown) for supplying ice, or the like.

The button unit 220 is formed on the dispenser body 210 to allow the user to select a type of supply object, for example, ice cubes, crushed ice, or the like. The button unit 220 may be provided by the number corresponding to the types of supply objects, and in this embodiment, for example, the button unit includes a water supply button 221, an ice cube supply button 222, and a crushed ice supply unit 223 for selecting water, ice cubes, crushed ice, respectively.

Reference numeral 224 is a power button for turning on or off the dispenser 200.

The display lamp unit 230 performs displaying differently to correspond to the types of supply objects selected via the buttons 221, 222 and 223 of the butt unit 220.

In this embodiment, the display lamp unit 230 includes a water supply lamp 231, an ice cube supply lamp 232 and a crushed ice supply lamp 233 to correspond to the water supply button 221, the ice cube supply button 222 and the crushed ice supply button 223, respectively.

The water supply lamp 231, the ice cube supply lamp 232 and the crushed ice supply lamp 233 implement different colors. For example, the water supply lamp 231 may implement white color, the ice cube supply lamp 232 may implement green color, and the crushed ice supply lamp 233 may implement blue color.

The input unit 250 generates a signal corresponding to each button 221, 222 and 223 selected from the button unit 220 and transfers the same to the controller 260. The controller 260 processes the signal received from the input unit 250 and transfers the processed signal to the driving unit 270. The driving unit 270 drives the display lamp unit 230, the supply object display unit, to correspond to the processed signal transferred from the controller 260, and drives a corresponding unit, for example, the water purifying unit, the ice maker, or the like. The display device 240 displays various information such as whether or not the dispenser 200 is operated.

The operation, for example, when the water supply button 221 is selected from the button unit 220 will now be described. The operation will be performed in the same manner when the other buttons 222 and 223 are selected.

When the user selects the water supply button 221, a signal corresponding to the selected button is generated from the input unit 250. The generated signal is transferred to the controller 260.

Upon receiving the signal, the controller 260 generates a water supply signal and transfers it to the driving unit 270.

Upon receiving the water supply signal, the driving unit 270 turns on the water supply lamp 231 and allows water to be supplied from the water purifying unit to the nozzle 213.

Because the display lamp unit 230 includes the water supply lamp 231, the ice cube supply lamp 232 and the crushed ice supply lamp 233 to correspond to the water supply button 221, the ice cube supply button 222 and the crushed ice supply button 223, and the water supply lamp 231, the ice cube supply lamp 232 and the crushed ice supply lamp 233 implement different colors, different colors can be implemented from the display lamp unit 230 according to the types of supply objects selected via the button unit 220. Accordingly, the recognition with respect to the selected supply objects can be improved.

In order to further improve the recognition, a type of a corresponding supply object may be described at one side of the water supply lamp 231, the ice cube supply lamp 232 and the crushed ice supply lamp 233.

A refrigerator having a dispenser according to another embodiment of the present invention will now be described. In the following description, any contents and explanations that have already been made for the first embodiment will be omitted for the sake of brevity.

FIG. 4 is a front view showing a refrigerator having a dispenser according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

With reference to FIG. 4, in the second embodiment of the present invention, the button unit 220 includes the water supply button 221, the ice cube supply button 222 and the crushed ice supply button 223, and a single display lamp 330 is provided as a supply object display unit.

The display lamp 330 implements a plurality of colors, and different colors may be implemented such that they correspond to the types of supply objects.

Because the single display lamp 330 implements different colors to correspond to the water supply button 221, the ice cube supply button 222, and the crushed ice supply button 223 of the button unit 220, different colors can be implemented at the display lamp unit 330 according to the types of supply objects selected via the button unit 220, and thus, the recognition with respect to the selected supply objects can be improved and the configuration of the supply object display unit can be simplified.

FIG. 5 is a front view showing a refrigerator having a dispenser according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

With reference to FIG. 5, in the third embodiment of the present invention, the button unit 220 includes the water supply button 221, the ice cube supply button 222 and the crushed ice supply button 223, and a display device 340 is provided as a supply object display unit.

The display device 340 may implement a plurality of icons, namely, different icons to correspond to types of supply objects. Reference numeral 341 denotes a water supply icon, 342 denotes an ice cube supply icon, and 343 denotes crushed ice supply icon.

In the third embodiment, the icons 341, 342, and 343 have different colors to correspond to the types of supply objects. Thus, the display device 340 corresponds to types of supply objects selected from the button unit 220, and a corresponding icon among the plurality of icons 341, 342, and 343 each having a different color can be turned.

Because the display device 340 corresponds to the types of supply objects selected from the button unit 220 and corresponding icon among the plurality of icons 341, 342, and 343 each having different colors is turned, the recognition with respect to the selected supply object can be improved, and because any additional lamp does not need to be provided as the supply object display unit, the configuration of the dispenser 200 can be simplified.

FIG. 6 is a front view showing a refrigerator having a dispenser according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

With reference to FIG. 6, in the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the button unit 220 includes the water supply button 221, the ice cube supply button 222 and the crushed ice supply button 223, and a speaker 350 is provided as a supply object display unit.

The speaker 350 may implement different sounds to correspond to types of supply objects. When a user selects one button of the button unit 220, the speaker 350 generates a sound corresponding to the selected button. The sounds generated from the speaker 350 may be simple sounds such as ting, dingdong, ting-a-ling, or the like, or such as water, ice cube, crushed ice, or the like.

Because the speaker 350 generates sounds corresponding to the types of the supply objects selected from the button unit 220, the recognition with respect to the selected supply object can be improved. In particular, because the types of supply objects are discriminated by sounds, the configuration can be more convenient for the visually impaired.

In the above-described embodiments, as the supply object display unit, there are proposed the display lamp units 230, the display lamp 330, and the display device 340 which implement different colors to correspond to the types of selected supply objects, or the speaker 350 that implements different sounds to correspond to the types of a selected supply object. But this is merely illustrative, and different colors and different sounds may be implemented together to correspond to the types of selected supply objects.

FIG. 7 is a front view showing a refrigerator having a dispenser according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

With reference to FIG. 7, in the fifth embodiment of the present invention, a button unit 320 includes a water supply button 321, an ice cube supply button 322, a crushed ice supply button 323, and an ON/OFF button 324 for turning on or off the operation of the dispenser 200.

The buttons 321 to 324 are positioned to be separated by a maximum distance therebetween.

In detail, the buttons 321 to 324 may be installed to be positioned at each corner on a rectangular plate 325.

Accordingly, the user can press properly the buttons 321 to 324 without confusing the positions of the buttons 321 to 324.

In the fifth embodiment of the present invention, as the supply object display unit, there are proposed the display lamp units 230, the display lamp 330, and the display device 340 which implement different colors to correspond to the types of selected supply objects, or the speaker 350 that implements different sounds to correspond to the types of a selected supply object. But this is merely illustrative, and different colors and different sounds may be implemented together to correspond to the types of selected supply objects.

FIG. 8 is a view showing a refrigerator having a dispenser according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

In the sixth embodiment of the present invention, a button unit 420 includes a select button 421 that can be repeatedly pressed to select water, ice cube and crushed ice, and an ON/OFF button 422 for turning on or off the operation of the dispenser 200.

A supply object display unit 430 may be provided as a speaker for informing about a type of a supply object selected by the select button 421.

In particular, the sound generated via the supply object display unit 430 may designate a selected supply object.

Alternatively, the display lamp unit, the display lamp or the display device may be provided to implement different colors to correspond to the type of the selected supply object like in the above-described embodiments.

As the present invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the characteristics thereof, it should also be understood that the above-described embodiments are not limited by any of the details of the foregoing description, unless otherwise specified, but rather should be construed broadly within its scope as defined in the appended claims, and therefore all changes and modifications that fall within the metes and bounds of the claims, or equivalents of such metes and bounds are therefore intended to be embraced by the appended claims. 

1. A refrigerator having a dispenser for supplying selected supply objects such as water or ice, comprising: a dispenser body; a button unit formed on the dispenser body and selecting types of supply objects; and a supply object display unit for displaying differently according to types of supply objects selected by the button unit.
 2. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the supply object display unit implements at least one of different colors and sounds according to types of the selected supply objects.
 3. The refrigerator of claim 2, wherein the supply object display unit comprises a plurality of lamps provided by the number corresponding to the types of the supply objects.
 4. The refrigerator of claim 3, wherein the plurality of lamps are installed at positions mutually separated by a maximum distance therebetween.
 5. The refrigerator of claim 3, wherein the plurality of lamps implement different colors, respectively.
 6. The refrigerator of claim 2, wherein the supply object display unit is a single lamp for implementing different colors correspondingly according to the types of the supply objects.
 7. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the supply object display unit is a display device implementing a plurality of icons which correspond to each type of the supply objects and have a different color, respectively.
 8. The refrigerator of claim 2, wherein the supply object display unit is a speaker implementing different sounds to correspond to the types of the supply objects.
 9. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the button unit comprises select buttons by the number corresponding to the types of the supply objects and an ON/OFF button operating the dispenser, and the buttons are positioned to be separated mutually by a maximum distance.
 10. The refrigerator of claim 9, wherein the buttons are installed to be positioned at corners on a square plate.
 11. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the button unit comprises a single select button and an ON/OFF button for operating the dispenser, and the supply object display unit may be formed as a speaker for informing about a type of a supply object selected by the select button.
 12. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the supply objects are ice cubes, crushed ice and water. 